Characterization and Properties of Silicon Carbide Reinforced Ni-10Co-5Cr (Superalloy) Matrix Composite Produced Via Powder Metallurgy Route

In this investigation, Ni-Co-Cr-SiC composites with various weight percentages were manufactured via powder metallurgy (PM) route. The compositions of the composites are Ni-10%Co-5%Cr, Ni-10% Co-5%Cr-4%SiC, Ni-10%Co-5%Cr-8%SiC and Ni-10%Co-5%Cr-12%SiC. The powders were mixed using planetary ball mill for a period of 10 h. The ball milled powders were subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis. By utilizing 150 kN hydraulic press with appropriate punch and die the ball milled powders were compacted as a cylindrical billets. The green compacts were sintered in a tubular furnace at two different temperatures 1000 °C and 1200 °C for3 h. The characterization examination namely XRD, SEM and Energy Dispersive Analysis (EDAX) was made on the sintered samples. Unreinforced Ni-Co-Cr exhibits higher sinterability at both sintering temperature. The sintering temperature and reinforcement weight percentage effect on the mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of the composites were examined. From these investigations, the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the composites were enhanced while increasing the sintering temperature and SiC weight percentage in the Ni-Co-Cr super alloy matrix.